Just when you thought splashing around in the pool was entirely safe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning about a nasty parasite on the rise in swimming spots: cryptosporidium, or “crypto” for short. This little critter can hang out in chlorinated water for up to 10 days, which is quite a long time compared to E. coli, my former primary concern, which can be neutralized in under a minute in a well-maintained pool. Intrigued by these findings, I decided to explore the CDC’s Healthy Swimming app to discover more about the germs that may be lurking in our favorite aquatic hangouts. Here’s what I learned:
- Many pools share a single filtration system, meaning that if one person indulges in a sketchy seafood dish, they could potentially contaminate the entire water park.
- Crypto is equipped with a robust outer shell, enabling it to survive and remain infectious even in properly chlorinated water. Talk about resilience!
- Those backyard inflatable pools can turn into breeding grounds for recreational water illnesses (RWIs) since they often lack chlorine and filtration systems.
- Drinking from public pool water is a definite no-no (sorry hydration enthusiasts!). And who knew? It’s also advisable to avoid sitting directly on the jets, as they can spray potentially contaminated water your way. Lesson learned!
- Interactive fountains, while great for cooling off, can also be hotspots for germs. In fact, a “spraypark” experience in 2005 led to 1,700 people getting sick, with 425 confirmed cases of crypto.
- Over 20% of American adults don’t realize that swimming while experiencing diarrhea can pollute the water. While I certainly wouldn’t dream of doing so, it’s clear that awareness is key.
- There are over 7.3 million hot tubs across the U.S. While it’s hard to gauge if that’s a lot or a little, it’s certainly a fun fact to bring up when discussing pool hygiene.
For more fascinating insights on health and wellness, check out our other blog posts like this one on home insemination.
In summary, staying informed about pool hygiene is essential for enjoying a safe and healthy swimming experience. With these tips, you can splash around with confidence, knowing you’re equipped with the knowledge to avoid any unsavory surprises in the water.